?Chapter 93:


    A burst of noise echoed from the street, but neither Elliana nor Hailee paid it any attention. It felt distant, and neither of them had a taste for unnecessary drama.


    Wearing a small apron dusted in flour, Hailee looked every bit the hardworking chef’s daughter—her cheeks still warm and rosy from her time in the kitchen.


    As Elliana reached for her fork, Hailee flopped into the seat across from her, clearly ready to eat and gossip in peace.


    Before they could dive in, Hailee suddenly jumped to her feet. “Hold up,” she said, grabbing an apron from the counter. “It gets hot in here, and food tends to fight back. Better cover up.”


    Elliana chuckled at the thoughtful gesture and tied it around her waist without protest.


    Once Elliana was geared up, both women settled in again, tes steaming, conversation ready to flow.


    But before Elliana could taste her first bite, the earlier noise came crashing through the front door like a storm.


    Elliana’s eyes darted to the entrance—and there Myles was, dressed to impress in a crisp, tailored suit. He stormed in, trailed by bodyguards dressed head-to-toe in ck. Among the easygoing regrs, they looked like they’d wandered in from a movie set.


    Confusion flickered across Elliana’s face. What the hell was Myles doing in this ce?


    Before she could piece anything together, Briggs—cheerful and ever the host—hurried over with a weing grin. “Looking to eat, gentlemen?” With a cold glint in his eye, Myles adjusted his sses and spoke like it was business as usual. “Our boss wants this spot cleared. Everyone else—out. We’re taking over the diner.”


    Elliana stared, dumbfounded, her fork frozen in midair. Cole was really clearing out an entire diner for a meal? Had he lost it? Cole was Ublento’s top dog, the kind of guy who dined at a swanky private restaurant. What business did he have showing up at a family-run eatery on Willow Lane? If Cole felt like mingling with the locals, why not do it subtly—blend in, eat quietly, and leave like a normal person? Reserving the entire diner like it was somerge event? He had clearly taken a detour into madness.


    Myles’s request backed Briggs into a corner. Briggs’ modest diner thrived on familiar faces and returning customers. High-profile customers didn’t just stroll in and call for a private event.


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    “Uh, sir, I—” Briggs said, his voice unsure.


    Before Briggs could finish, two more suits—Aron and Hugh—strode in like they owned the block. “All clear outside,” one of them said. “Just need this ce cleared.”


    A flicker of disbelief curled at the edge of Elliana’s mouth. Out of every corner joint in the city, Cole chose this one. Was that a coincidence, or was he here because of her? She adjusted her gold-rimmed sses, her fingers trembling slightly. No way he’d recognize her—he’d never seen her without theyers of her usual disguise.


    As her thoughts spiraled, Myles gave a subtle nod, and the bodyguards sprang into action—silently slipping thick bundles of cash into each patron’s hand like it was a nned ritual.


    “Our boss will be here soon,” Myles announced, his voice loud and t. “Take the money and grab dinner somewhere else.”


    Elliana’s eyes flicked to the wads of cash—easily ten grand a bundle. Cole probably spent more on neckties. But to these locals, it was rent, bills, maybe even a fresh start. The room shifted from grumbles to quiet gratitude as they took the cash and slipped out with hesitant smiles.


    Momentster, the once-bustling diner stood hollow—emptied out like a stage waiting for its lead actor.


    Part of Elliana wanted to slip out before things escted, but the untouched meal in front of her said otherwise. She’d waited too long for that food to just walk away. Anyway, she would linger to figure out what kind of game Cole was trying to pull.


    Just as her fork hovered over the te, Hugh swaggered up and tapped her shoulder. “Hey, you waitress, break time’s over. My boss is on his way. Tables need clearing. Chairs need wiping. Let’s go!”


    The food was right there—one bite away—but Elliana sighed and set her fork aside, irritation bubbling under her calm. As much as she wanted to snap, this wasn’t her turf, and she wasn’t about to stir up trouble for Hailee’s family. With the diner’s apron on, it made sense they’d mistake her for a waitress.


    With a resigned shrug, Elliana stood up and began stacking tes and wiping surfaces.


    Hailee rushed over, trying to intervene. “Elli—”


    A quick raise of Elliana’s hand cut Hailee off. She didn’t want her name to fly around—not now.


    Puzzled, Hailee leaned in close and whispered, “Elliana, you’re not staff. You’re here to eat. I’ll tell them—once they know, they’ll leave you alone.”


    Before Elliana could even reply, Hugh shouted, “What’re you two waitresses yapping about? Hurry up and clean!”


    “It’s fine,” Elliana murmured, gently squeezing Hailee’s hand. “Let’s just roll with it.”


    With a breath and a quiet huff, Elliana rolled up her sleeves and got to work, clearing tes like she’d done it a hundred times.


    Briggs, realizing this crew meant business, mmed up and joined the cleanup.


    Throwing an apologetic nce Elliana’s way, Hailee grabbed a tray and fell into step beside her.


    Once Elliana, Hailee, and Briggs had every table gleaming, Cole walked in with his usual shine, bodyguards trailing behind him. At his side was a woman who carried herself with a kind of charm that didn’t have to try.


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